Systems and methods for textural zone identification

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and method for identifying three-dimensional zone areas for use in relation to the monitoring of physical movement of a target monitor device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to (i.e., iscontinuation-in-part of) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/359,942entitled “Systems and Methods for Textural Zone Monitoring”, and filedMar. 20, 2019 by Newell. The entirety of the aforementioned applicationis incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methodfor identifying three-dimensional zone areas for use in relation to themonitoring of physical movement of a target monitor device.

Large numbers of individuals are currently housed in prisons. Thisrepresents a significant cost to society both in terms of housingexpense and wasted productivity. To address this concern, house arrestsystems have been developed for use by lower risk offenders. This allowsthe lower risk offender to be monitored outside of a traditional prisonsystem and allows the offender an opportunity to work and interact to atleast some degree in society. The same approach is applied to paroledprisoners allowing for a monitored transition between a prisonatmosphere and returning to society. In some cases, it may be desirableto limit the movement of monitored individuals to areas that do notexhibit hazards to the individual trying to reintroduce himself backinto society, or to control areas where an individual is allowed to movewhile still allowing the individual to work, shop, and engage in somelevel of healthy recreation.

Thus, for at least the aforementioned reasons, there exists a need inthe art for more advanced approaches, devices and systems formonitoring.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methodfor identifying three-dimensional zone areas for use in relation to themonitoring of physical movement of a target monitor device.

This summary provides only a general outline of some embodimentsaccording to the present invention. Many other objects, features,advantages and other embodiments of the present invention will becomemore fully apparent from the following detailed description, theappended claims and the accompanying drawings and figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the various embodiments of the presentinvention may be realized by reference to the figures which aredescribed in remaining portions of the specification. In the figures,similar reference numerals are used throughout several drawings to referto similar components. In some instances, a sub-label consisting of alower case letter is associated with a reference numeral to denote oneof multiple similar components. When reference is made to a referencenumeral without specification to an existing sub-label, it is intendedto refer to all such multiple similar components.

FIGS. 1a-1b show block diagrams illustrating a monitoring systemincluding textural zone downloading, monitoring, and identification inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 1c shows a target monitoring device that may be attached to atarget and used in relation to one or more of the embodiments discussedherein.

FIG. 2a shows an area having areas where movement by an individual beingmonitored is allowed, areas where movement by the individual beingmonitored is conditionally allowed, and areas where movement by theindividual being monitored is not authorized in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 2b shows a building where movement by the individual beingmonitored is allowed in some areas of the building and not other areasin accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting a method for preparing texturalexclusion zone data in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting a method for target monitoring basedupon textural exclusion zone data in accordance with variousembodiments;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram depicting another method for preparing texturalexclusion zone data in accordance with other embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting another method for target monitoringbased upon textural exclusion zone data in accordance with variousembodiments;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting yet another method for targetmonitoring based upon textural exclusion zone data in accordance withother embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram depicting a method for preparing texturalinclusion zone data in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram depicting a method for target monitoring basedupon textural inclusion zone data in accordance with variousembodiments;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing a method for identifying zonesincluding a zone area having an altitude different from a baselinealtitude in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 11a-11c are example displays updated using the processes of one ormore methods for identifying zones discussed herein;

FIGS. 12a-12b are example updated displays using the processes of one ormore methods for identifying zone areas discussed herein;

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing another method for identifying zonesincluding a zone area having an altitude different from a baselinealtitude in accordance with one or more embodiments; and

FIGS. 14a-14b are example displays updated using the processes of one ormore methods for identifying zone areas discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to monitoring movement, and inparticular to systems and methods for monitoring.

Various embodiments provide monitoring systems that include: a targetmonitor device physically attached to an individual to be monitored, anda user interaction device. The user interaction device includes: adisplay device, and a computer readable medium. The computer readablemedium includes instructions executable by a processor to: receive anindication of a first zone area, wherein the first zone area is analtitude unlimited zone area; receive an indication of a second zonearea and an altitude range for the second zone area, where the secondzone area is an altitude limited zone area that is limited to thealtitude range; display a three-dimensional view of a combination of thefirst zone area and the second zone area via the display device; convertthe combination of the first zone area and the second zone area into azone data set; and transfer at least a portion of the zone data set tothe target monitor device via a wireless communication link.

Some embodiments provide monitoring systems that include: a displaydevice and a computer readable medium. The computer readable mediumincludes non-transitory instructions executable by a processor to:receive an indication of a zone area and an altitude range for the zonearea, where the zone area is an altitude limited zone area that islimited to the altitude range; and display a three-dimensional view ofthe first zone area via the display device.

In some instances of the aforementioned embodiments where the zone areais a first zone area, the computer readable medium further includesnon-transitory instructions executable by a processor to: receive anindication of a second zone area, wherein the first zone area is analtitude unlimited zone area; and display a three-dimensional view of acombination of the first zone area and the second zone area via thedisplay device. In some cases, the computer readable medium furtherincludes non-transitory instructions executable by a processor to:convert the combination of the first zone area and the second zone areainto an inclusion zone data set; and transfer at least a portion of theinclusion zone data set to a target monitor device via a wirelesscommunication link. In other cases, the computer readable medium furtherincludes non-transitory instructions executable by a processor to:convert the combination of the first zone area and the second zone areainto an exclusion zone data set; and transfer at least a portion of theexclusion zone data set to a target monitor device via a wirelesscommunication link. In some cases, the indication of the second zonearea is a set of coordinates identifying a two-dimensional area. Invarious cases, the indication of the second zone area is received as agraphical representation of a two-dimensional area, and the computerreadable medium further includes non-transitory instructions executableby a processor to convert the graphical representation of thetwo-dimensional area to a set of coordinates identifying atwo-dimensional area.

In various instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the zone area isa set of coordinates identifying a two-dimensional area, and thealtitude range indicates a first altitude and a second altitude for thezone area. In some cases, the first altitude is a first distancerelative to a baseline altitude, and the second altitude is a seconddistance from the baseline altitude. In other cases, the first altitudeis an indication of a first floor number of a building within the zonearea, and the second altitude is a second floor number within thebuilding. In such cases, the altitude range extends from approximately abottom of a floor corresponding to the first floor number of thebuilding to approximately a top of a floor corresponding to the secondfloor number within the building.

In one or more instances of the aforementioned embodiments, theindication of the zone area is an address of a building, and thealtitude range indicates a first floor number of the building and asecond floor number of the building. In such instances, the zone area isdefined as a two-dimensional area of the building at an altitudeextending from approximately a bottom of a floor corresponding to thefirst floor number of the building to approximately a top of a floorcorresponding to the second floor number within the building.

Yet other embodiments provide methods for defining zone areas inrelation to a monitoring system. The methods include: receiving anindication of a first zone area, where the first zone area is analtitude unlimited zone area; receiving an indication of a second zonearea and an altitude range for the second zone area, where the secondzone area is an altitude limited zone area that is limited to thealtitude range; and displaying a three-dimensional view of a combinationof the first zone area and the second zone area.

Various embodiments provide monitoring systems that include a monitordevice. The monitor device includes: a location determination circuitoperable to determine a two-dimensional location of the monitor device;an elevation determination circuit operable to determine an elevation ofthe monitor device; and a memory. The memory includes: textural zonedata, and instructions. The instructions are executable by the processorto: receive the two-dimensional location of the monitor device from thelocation determination circuit; receive the elevation of the monitordevice from the elevation determination circuit; compare a combinationof the two-dimensional location and the elevation with the textural zonedata; and indicate a zone violation where the combination of thetwo-dimensional location and the elevation is in violation of a zonedefined within the textural zone data.

In some instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the monitor devicefurther includes a wireless transmitter, and indicating the zoneviolation includes transmitting an indication of the zone violation to acentral monitor using the wireless transmitter. In some such instances,the wireless transmitter is a cellular transmitter, and/or a WiFitransmitter.

In various instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the texturalzone data is textural exclusion zone data, and the zone violation is anexclusion zone violation where the combination of the two-dimensionallocation and the elevation is within an exclusion zone identified in thetextural exclusion zone data. In other instances of the aforementionedembodiments, the textural zone data is textural exclusion zone data, andthe zone violation is an exclusion zone violation where the combinationof the two-dimensional location and the elevation is within an exclusionzone identified in the textural exclusion zone data. In one or moreinstances of the aforementioned embodiments, indicating the zoneviolation is done when the combination of the two-dimensional locationand the elevation is in violation of a zone defined within the texturalzone data for at least a defined time.

Other embodiments provide methods for monitoring that include:determining a two-dimensional location of a monitor device; determiningan elevation of the monitor device; comparing a combination of thetwo-dimensional location and the elevation with textural zone data; andindicating a zone violation where the combination of the two-dimensionallocation and the elevation violates the textural zone data.

Yet other embodiments provide monitoring devices that include: a strapconfigured to secure the monitor device to a limb of an individual; anda housing attached to the strap. The housing holds: a locationdetermination circuit operable to determine a two-dimensional locationof the monitor device; an elevation determination circuit operable todetermine an elevation of the monitor device; a processor; and a memoryconfigured to store textural zone data including two-dimensionallocations and corresponding elevations. The memory includes instructionsexecutable by the processor to: receive the two-dimensional location ofthe monitor device from the location determination circuit; receive theelevation of the monitor device from the elevation determinationcircuit; compare a combination of the two-dimensional location and theelevation with the textural zone data; and indicate a zone violationwhere the combination of the two-dimensional location and the elevationviolates the textural zone data.

Turning to FIG. 1a , a monitoring system 100 including textural zonedownloading and monitoring is depicted in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention. Monitoring system 100 may betailored for tracking human subjects, however, it should be noted thatvarious implementations and deployments of monitoring system 100 may betailored for tracking non-human targets such as, for example, otheranimals or inanimate assets or objects. Such inanimate assets or objectsmay include, but are not limited to, automobiles, boats, equipment,shipping containers or the like. In one particular embodiment,monitoring system 100 is tailored for tracking delivery vehicles. Basedupon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize a variety of individuals, animals and/or assets that maybe monitored in accordance with different embodiments of the presentinvention, and/or different monitoring scenarios or systems that may bemodified to incorporate one or more features disclosed herein.

Monitoring system 100 includes, but is not limited to, a target monitordevice 120 that is physically coupled to a human subject 110 by asecuring device 190. In some cases, securing device 190 is a strap thatincludes a continuity sensor that when broken indicates an error ortamper condition. Further, in some cases, target monitor device 120includes a proximity sensor that is able to detect when it has beenmoved away from an individual being monitored. When such movement awayfrom the individual is detected, an error or tamper condition may beindicated. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize a variety of tamper sensors that may beincorporated in either target monitor device 120 or securing device 190to allow for detection of removal of target monitor device 120 or otherimproper or unexpected meddling with target monitor device 120. Further,based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize a variety of monitors and/or securing devices thatmay be appropriate where the target of the monitoring is not a human orother animal subject, but rather an asset.

Target monitor device 120 is designed to provide the location of humansubject 110 under a number of conditions. For example, when targetmonitor device 120 is capable of receiving wireless global navigationsatellite system (hereinafter “GNSS”) location information 130, 131, 132from a sufficient number of GNSS satellites 145, 146, 147 respectively,target monitor device 120 may use the received wireless GNSS locationinformation to calculate or otherwise determine the location of humansubject 110. Global positioning system (hereinafter “GPS) is one exampleof a GNSS location system. In some instances, this location includeslatitude, longitude, and elevation. Alternatively or in addition, thelocation of a beacon 180 that is local to target monitor device 120 maybe used as the location of target monitor device 120. As yet anotheralternative, a cell tower based fix may be established based on cellularcommunication with target monitor device 120. It should be noted thatother types of earth based triangulation may be used in accordance withdifferent embodiments of the present invention. For example, other cellphone based triangulation, UHF band triangulation such as, for example,long range (hereinafter “LoRa”) triangulation signals. Based on thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize other types of earth based triangulation that may be used.

As yet another alternative, a cell tower based fix may be establishedbased on cellular communications between target monitor device 120 and acellular communication system 150. Furthermore, when wirelesscommunication link 133 between target monitor device 120 and cellularcommunications system 150 is periodically established, at those times,target monitor device 120 may report status and other stored recordsincluding location fixes to a central monitoring system 160 via wirelesscommunication link 138.

Monitoring system 100 includes, but is not limited to, at least onebeacon 180. Beacons 180 are instrumental for beacon based monitoringsystems. Within FIG. 1a , a telemetric wireless link 149 has beendepicted between beacon 180 a and target monitor device 120. Each beacon180 has an adjustable range to make telemetric wireless contact withtarget monitor device 120. At any point in time, depending on eachbeacon's 180 relative distance to target monitor device 120, none, one,or more than one tracking beacons 180 may be within reception range of asingle target monitor device 120. Likewise, it is further conceivableunder various circumstances that more than one target monitor device 120at times be within in range of a solitary beacon 180.

Telemetric wireless communications path 149 established at times betweentracking beacon 180 a and target monitor device 120 illustrates a commonfeature of various different embodiments of the current invention. Someembodiments of the various inventions vary on how, i.e., protocol, andwhat information and/or signaling is passed over wireless link 149. Forexample, in more simplified configurations and embodiments, each beacon180 is limited to repetitively transmitting its own beacon ID andphysical location information. In that way, once target monitor device120 is within transmission range of tracking beacon 180 a andestablishes wireless or wired reception 149, then target monitor device120 can record and store received beacon ID and location information. Ata later time, for some embodiments of the present invention, targetmonitor device 120 can then report recorded readings from beacons 180 tothe central monitoring system 160 over the cellular communication system150 using wireless links 133 and 138 as depicted in FIG. 1. Furthermore,many embodiments allow for such transmissions and information passing tooccur without being noticed by human subject 110, and unnoticed,automatically, and near effortlessly central monitoring system 160 isable to establish records and track human subject's 110 movements andwhereabouts.

In other embodiments or configurations according to the presentinvention, each beacon 180 also transmit status information related toits own device health and information related from each beacon's 180internal tampering, movement, or other sensors via a communicationsystem 170 to central monitoring system 160. This allows for detectionof movement of beacons 180, and establishing some level of confidencethat the location reported by each of beacons 180 is accurate. Variousother details about a beacon based system are disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/041,746 entitled “Beacon Based Tracking Devicesand Methods for Using Such” and filed Mar. 4, 2008 by Buck et al. Theentirety of the aforementioned reference is incorporated herein byreference for all purposes.

Likewise, in some other embodiments, each target monitor device 120contains a host of their own tampering, shielding, movement, and/orother sensors related to its own device health. While still furtherembodiments also include a host of other measurement transducers withintarget monitor device 120 for extracting information, and for laterreporting, related to physical properties of human subject 110. Forexample, measuring for the presence of alcohol and/or other drugspresent in human subject 110 may be included in some embodiments oftarget monitor device 120. As one example, the alcohol sensor discussedin U.S. Pat. No. 7,930,927 entitled “Transdermal Portable AlcoholMonitor and Methods for Using Such” and filed by Cooper et al. on Mar.4, 2008. The entirety of the aforementioned reference is incorporatedherein by reference for all purposes.

Beacons 180 in alternative embodiments of the present invention maycommunicate with central monitoring system 160 independently of targetmonitor device 120. The monitoring system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1shows beacon 180 b having both a wireless communication link 135 withcellular communication system 150, and also illustrates beacon 180 bhaving a hardwired communication link 139 with land communication system170. Monitoring system 100 is also shown with beacons 180 a, 180 b, and180 c each having hardwired land communication links 140, 139, and 136respectively to land communication system 170. Monitoring system 100further illustrates land communication system 170 having a hardwiredcommunication link 134 to cellular communication system 150, and ahardwired communication link 137 to central monitoring system 160.

In some embodiments, beacons 180 are located in areas frequented byhuman subject 110 where target monitor device 120 is incapable ofaccessing information from the GNSS system. Such beacons eliminate theneed to perform an AFLT fix and avoid the costs associated therewith. Asan example, human subject 110 may have a tracking beacon 180 placedwithin his home, and one also placed at his place of employment in closeproximity to his work area. In this way, the two placed beacons, each atdifferent prescribed times, can interact with their attached targetmonitor device 120 to periodically make reports to central monitoringsystem 160 to track movements and the whereabouts of human subject 110.All this can be done without incurring the costs associated withperforming an AFLT fix.

Monitoring system 100 further includes a control station 191 that iscommunicably coupled to central monitoring system 160 via acommunication link 192. In one particular embodiment of the presentinvention, control station 191 is a personal computer including adisplay device, a processor, and/or one or more I/O devices. Based uponthe disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of systems that may be used as control station 191including, but not limited to, a laptop computer or a smart phone. Astorage medium 195 is communicably coupled to control station 191 andmaintains instructions governing the operation of textural exclusionzone and/or textural inclusion zone setup and monitoring control asdiscussed herein.

Central monitoring system 160 includes functionality for sending alertsto a user interaction system 185 when a tracked target ventures into aprohibited or exclusion zone. User interaction system 185 includes adisplay device visible to the user. Such exclusion zones may be setupusing any approach including, but not limited to, those more fullydiscussed below in relation to FIGS. 3 and 5. Further, such exclusionzone violations may be determined using various monitoring processesincluding, but not limited to, those discussed below in relation toFIGS. 4, 6, and 7. Such an user interaction system 185 may be, but isnot limited to, a law enforcement computer deployed at a dispatchstation of the law enforcement facility or a hand held computer or smartphone maintained by a law enforcement official. Based upon thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of user interaction system s185 that may be used inrelation to one or more of the embodiments discussed herein.

Additionally, user interaction system 185 can be used by a user toidentify three-dimensional zones—both inclusion and exclusion zones.User interaction system 185 includes a display that can be used both forinput and to display a defined zone or set of zones. User interaction iscommunicably coupled to a computer readable medium 186 that hasinstructions executable by a processor in user interaction system 185 toperform processes discussed below in relation to one or more of FIG. 10and FIG. 13.

Turning to FIG. 1b , a tracking and monitoring system 101 including asingle altitude sensing beacon 1080 is depicted in accordance with someembodiments. Tracking and monitoring system 101 is a subset ofmonitoring system 100 described above in relation to FIG. 1 a withtarget monitor 120 and an altitude sensing beacon 1080 (similar tobeacons 180 a, 180 b, 180 c) being shown in greater detail. As shown inFIG. 1b , tracking and monitoring system 101 includes only a singlealtitude sensing beacon 1080 in communication with a target monitordevice 120. Target monitor device 120 is capable of receiving GNSSinformation from GNSS satellites 145, 146, and 147 respectively. A GNSSreceiver 1022 within target monitor device 120 at times is useful fordetermining physical locations, i.e. whenever GNSS receiver 1022 ispowered-on, and also as long as receiving sufficient GNSS satellitessignal transmissions.

Tracking and monitoring system 101 illustrates target monitor device's120 device ID 1021 being stored in a memory 1025, and is thus accessibleby a controller 1027. Controller 1027 is able to interact with GNSSreceiver 1022 and memory 1025 at times for storing and generatingrecords of successively determined GNSS locations. Controller 1027 maybe, but is not limited to, a microprocessor, microcontroller or otherdevice known in the art that is capable of executing software orfirmware instructions.

Controller 1027 of target monitor device 120 at times functions inconjunction with a cellular transceiver 1028 to send and receive dataand signals through cellular communication system 150. This link attimes is useful for passing information and/or control signals betweencentral monitoring system 160 and target monitor device 120. Cellularcommunication system 150 and cellular transceiver 1028 can also at timesoften be useful for determining a physical location for subject devices120 through trilateration when requested. It should be noted that thefunctionality of cellular communication system 150 may be performed byanother wireless communication system depending upon the particularembodiment.

Target monitor device 120 further includes barometric circuitry 1055that is capable of sensing a barometric pressure around target monitordevice 120. Barometric circuitry 1055 may be any circuitry known in theart that is capable of providing an output value that changes as afunction of altitude without using triangulation. In one particularembodiment, barometric circuitry 1055 is an MPL115A digital barometricpressure sensor made by Freescale Semiconductor™. Based upon thedisclosure provided herein one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of systems, devices and/or circuits that may be usedto implement barometric circuitry 1055. The output from barometriccircuitry 1055 is provided to controller 1027. Where target monitordevice 120 further includes barometric circuitry 1055, there may be noneed to include an altitude sensing beacon 1080.

Target monitor device 120 further includes Wi-Fi signature circuitry1056 that is capable of sensing Wi-Fi signals transmitted from one ormore Wi-Fi access points within range of target monitor device 120. Thisset of signals is provided to controller 1027 as a Wi-Fi signature fortarget monitor device 120. As target monitor device 120 moves relativeto the Wi-Fi access points, Wi-Fi signature circuitry 1056 will sensedifferent Wi-Fi signals transmitted from Wi-Fi access points. Thus, intarget monitor device 120 it results in a potential change in therecorded Wi-Fi signature.

Tracking and monitoring system 101 depicts controller 1027 interactingwith a beacon transceiver 1034. A status monitor 1026 and aspeaker/buzzer 1024 are all interconnected and interact throughcontroller 1027. In alternative embodiments of the present invention,status monitor 1026 includes one or more of the following subcomponents:a set of shielding sensors 1029 that are capable of determining whethertarget monitor device 120 is being shielded from radio frequency(hereinafter “RF”) signals such as, for example, GNSS signals or cellsignals, a set of device health indicators 1030, a tamper sensor 1031capable of determining whether unauthorized access to target monitordevice 120 has occurred or whether target monitor device 120 has beenremoved from an associated human subject, a motion/proximity sensor 1032capable of determining whether target monitor device 120 is movingand/or whether it is within proximity of human subject 110, and/or otherbody sensors 1033 for making physical measurements of human subject 110.Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize a variety of shielding sensors, a variety of devicehealth transducers and indicators, a variety of tamper sensors, variousdifferent types of motion sensors, different proximity to human sensors,and various human body physical measurement sensors or transducers thatmay be incorporated into target monitor device 120 according to variousdifferent instances and/or embodiments of the present inventions.

Altitude sensing beacon 1080 includes a local transceiver 1083 capableof providing information to target monitor device 120, and in some casesreceiving information from target monitor device 120. Communicationbetween beacon transceiver 1034 and local transceiver 1083 can be eitherwireless or wired. For example, the communication may be made viaUniversal Serial Bus protocol over a wired interface. As anothernon-limiting example, communication between beacon transceiver 1034 andlocal transceiver 1083 can be via a wireless Bluetooth™ protocol. Basedon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of wireless and wired interfaces and interfaceprotocols that may be used in relation to different embodiments of thepresent inventions. Altitude sensing beacon 1080 further includes adevice ID 1081 maintained in a memory 1085. Device ID 1081 uniquelyidentifies altitude sensing beacon 1080, and may in some cases be usedto designate an operational difference between beacons (e.g., a beaconused to provide location information to a subject device or a beaconused to find a misplaced or discarded subject device). Altitude sensingbeacon 1080 may further include a user interface 1082 that provides someindication of the operational status of the beacon.

In some instances, altitude sensing beacon 1080 includes acommunications transceiver 1088 that is capable of communication via oneor both of a land communication system 170 or cellular communicationsystem 150. Altitude sensing beacon 1080 may also include a statusmonitor 1086 that is capable of accessing information from device healthsensors 1089, tamper sensors 1090 and/or a tether based motion sensingsystem 1095. As shown, tether based motion sensing system 1095 includes:an active tether circuit 1092 that is operable to determine whetheraltitude sensing beacon 1080 is connected to a power source 1008; and afalse positive mitigating multi-level motion sensor system 1091. Basedon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of status information that may be monitored todetermine whether altitude sensing beacon 1080 is properly operationaland whether the location information provided from beacon 1080 to targetmonitor device 120 is reliable. The various functional elements ofaltitude sensing beacon 1080 are controlled and powered by a controllerand battery 1087 that may be, but is not limited to, a combination of abattery and a microprocessor, a microcontroller or other device known inthe art that is capable of executing software or firmware instructions.

Of note, a location where altitude sensing beacon 1080 is deployed isassociated with a beacon ID that is programmed into memory 1085. Thisbeacon ID is transmitted to target monitor device 120. As tracking andmonitoring system 101 relies on the location associated with the beaconID provided from altitude sensing beacon 1080 to establish its locationthat is programmed to central monitoring system 160, moving theparticular altitude sensing beacon away from the known locationundermines the integrity of information provided from target monitordevice 120 to central monitoring system 160. To avoid this, altitudesensing beacon 1080 is tethered to power source 1008. Active tethercircuit 1092 determines whether altitude sensing beacon 1080 is attachedto power source 1008, or is disconnected from power source 1008. Anycircuit known in the art for determining whether there is a connectionto a power source may be used to implement active tether circuit 1092.Active tether circuit 1092 provides an output indicating whetheraltitude sensing beacon 1080 is connected to power source 1008.

False positive mitigating multi-level motion sensor system 1091 isoperable to detect motion of altitude sensing beacon 1080, and providesan indication of any sensed motion to status monitor 1086. The level ofsensitivity of the motion sensing performed by false positive mitigatingmulti-level motion sensor system 1091 is dynamically selected based uponthe output from active tether circuit 1092 indicating whether altitudesensing beacon 1080 is connected to power source 1008. When altitudesensing beacon 1080 is connected to power source 1008, a low sensitivitymotion sensor circuit is employed to determine motion. In contrast, whenaltitude sensing beacon 1080 is not connected to power source 1008, ahigh sensitivity motion sensor circuit is employed to determine motion.Thus, when altitude sensing beacon 1080 is connected to a power sourceand is less likely to be the subject of problematic motion (i.e., motionthat impacts the integrity of location data transferred from targetmonitor device 120 to central monitoring system 160), the motion sensingemployed is less sensitive. As such, the possibility of a false positive(e.g., indicating motion of the altitude sensing beacon caused by loudmusic playing near the tethered beacon) when the altitude sensing beacon1080 is unlikely to be moving is reduced. In contrast, the possibilityof problematic motion is increased when altitude sensing beacon 1080 isdisconnected from the power source, and in such a scenario the motiondetection sensitivity is increased. In some cases, altitude sensingbeacon 1080 includes GNSS and/or cellular communication based locationcircuitry that is turned on when motion is detected to obtain an updatedlocation.

Altitude sensing beacon 1080 further includes barometric circuitry 1093that is capable of sensing a barometric pressure around altitude sensingbeacon 1080. Barometric circuitry 1093 may be any circuitry known in theart that is capable of providing an output value that changes as afunction of altitude without using triangulation. In one particularembodiment, barometric circuitry 1093 is an MPL115A digital barometricpressure sensor made by Freescale Semiconductor™. Based upon thedisclosure provided herein one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of systems, devices and/or circuits that may be usedto implement barometric circuitry 1093. The output from barometriccircuitry 1093 is provided to controller 1087.

Altitude sensing beacon 1080 further includes Wi-Fi signature circuitry1094 that is capable of sensing Wi-Fi signals transmitted from one ormore Wi-Fi access points within range of altitude sensing beacon 1080.This set of signals is provided to controller 1027 as a Wi-Fi signaturefor altitude sensing beacon 1080. As altitude sensing beacon 1080 movesrelative to the Wi-Fi access points, Wi-Fi signature circuitry 1094 willsense different Wi-Fi signals transmitted from Wi-Fi access points.Thus, as altitude sensing beacon 1080 it results in a potential changein the produced Wi-Fi signature.

Alternatively, the Wi-Fi signature circuitry may be implemented intarget monitor device 120. In such an embodiment, the Wi-Fi signaturecircuitry included in target monitor device 120 determines a Wi-Fisignature when in range of altitude sensing beacon 1080 which becomes abaseline signature. Later when target monitor device 120 is again withinrange of altitude sensing beacon 1080, the Wi-Fi signature circuitryincluded in target monitor device 120 re-determines a Wi-Fi signature.This newly determined Wi-Fi signature is compared with the baselinesignature to determine if a change has occurred.

Turning to FIG. 1c , an example target monitor device 1099 is shown thatis tailored for attachment to a human or other animal with an exampleattachment element 1090 connected at opposite ends of target monitordevice 1099 (i.e., a first end 1097 and a second end 1098). Attachmentelement 1090 is operable to securely attach monitor 1095 (i.e., acombination of target monitor device 1099 and attachment element 1090)to a limb of an individual in accordance with some embodiments. Invarious embodiments, attachment element 1090 includes electricallyand/or optically conductive material used to make a conductiveconnection from first end 1097 to second end 1098 through attachmentelement 1090 and is used in relation to determining whether targetmonitor device 1099 remains attached and/or has been tampered with.While FIG. 1c shows a strap as an example attachment element, based uponthe disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize other types of attachment elements that may be used inrelation to different embodiments.

Turning to FIG. 2a , an area 200 is shown that includes areas wheremovement by a target is unconditionally allowed (i.e., inclusion zones210), areas where movement by the target is conditionally allowed (i.e.,conditional exclusion zones 220 a, 220 b), and areas where movement bythe target is not authorized (i.e., exclusion zone 205). As an example,conditional exclusion zone 220 a may be a place of employment where theindividual is allowed to be during a certain time of day. As anotherexample, conditional exclusion zone 220 a may be a building partiallyaccessible to an individual being monitored where the partialaccessibility is only allowed on some floors of the building. As yetanother example, conditional exclusion zone 220 a may be a buildingpartially accessible to an individual being monitored where the partialaccessibility is only allowed on some floors of the building duringcertain times of the day. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, oneof ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of regions thatmay be conditionally accessible by an individual being monitored. As anexample, conditional exclusion zone 220 b may be a residence of theindividual where the residence is on a known floor and location within abuilding at the location corresponding to conditional exclusion zone 220b. Again, based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize a variety of regions that may beconditionally accessible by an individual being monitored. As anexample, inclusion zone 210 may encompass a defined route between andaround conditional exclusion zones 220 such that an individual beingmonitored is allowed to transit between the locations. Exclusion zone205 includes all areas where the individual being monitored is precludedfrom moving. Area 200 is reduced to textural exclusion zone data that isused to determine whether a monitored individual is staying within areaswhere their movement is authorized.

It should be noted that while the embodiment of FIG. 2a is discussed assetting up one or more “textural exclusion zones”, other embodiments mayinvolve setting up one or more “textural inclusion zones” or acombination of one or more textural inclusion zones and texturalexclusion zones. As used herein, the phrase “exclusion zone” is used inits broadest sense to mean any two-dimensional area (e.g., a regiondefined as range of latitudes and longitudes or other defining vertices)where an individual is not allowed to enter. Thus, for example, anexclusion zone may be an area around a school. As used herein, thephrase “inclusion zone” is used in its broadest sense to mean anytwo-dimensional area (e.g., a region defined as range of latitudes andlongitudes or other defining vertices) where an individual is expectedto be during one or more defined time intervals. Thus, for example, aninclusion zone may be a city or region within a city (e.g., the home orwork location of the individual) where the individual is expected to beduring one or more defined time intervals. As used herein, the phrase“textural exclusion zone” is used in its broadest sense to mean anyregion including a two-dimensional area (e.g., a region defined as rangeof latitudes and longitudes or other defining vertices) plus anotherdimension where an individual is not allowed to enter. Thus, forexample, a textural exclusion zone may be certain floors within amulti-story building. As used herein, the phrase “textural inclusionzone” is used in its broadest sense to mean any region including atwo-dimensional area (e.g., a region defined as range of latitudes andlongitudes or other defining vertices) plus another dimension where anindividual is is expected to be during one or more defined timeintervals. Thus, for example, a textural inclusion zone may be certainfloors within a multi-story building. As used herein, the phrase“textural zone” generally refers to any region including atwo-dimensional area (e.g., a region defined as range of latitudes andlongitudes or other defining vertices) plus another dimension that maybe either a textural inclusion zone or a textural exclusion zone. Basedupon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize a variety of textural exclusion zones, textural inclusionzones, and/or combinations thereof that may be defined and monitored inaccordance with various embodiments. Where a textural zone istwo-dimensional data plus elevation data, it may define planartwo-dimensional regions, spheres, ellipsoids, cylinders, and/or otherthree-dimensional areas such a cubes or other multi-verticethree-dimensional regions.

It is noted that while the zones of FIG. 2a are described usinglatitudes and longitudes, other definitions may be used in relation todifferent embodiments. For example, a two-dimensional zone (eitherexclusion zone or inclusion zone) may be defined using multiple verticeswith straight lines between the respective vertices. Thus, using theexample of FIG. 2a , the overall inclusion zone extending from lat9,long9 to lat2, long1 may be defined as a single polygon with multiplevertices and boundaries extending between the vertices. It is also notedthat the boundaries extending between the vertices are not necessarilylimited to perpendicular lines, but rather may be lines intersecting atany angle. Additionally, it is noted that two-dimensional regions may bedefined as circles or ellipses. Thus, for example, where a certainbuilding is to be designated as either an exclusion zone or an inclusionzone, the building and some of the area surrounding the building maysimply be encompassed in a single circle or a single ellipse. Based uponthe disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of ways in which two-dimensional zones may bedefined in relation to different embodiments.

FIG. 2b shows a building 201 where movement by the individual beingmonitored is allowed in some areas of the building and not other areas.As shown, building 201 includes a number of floors (F1-F5) each of aheight H. In this embodiment, a target monitor device 220 is secured tothe leg of an individual being monitored 230, and the individual beingmonitored is only allowed to be on the second floor (F2) of building201, and a first stairwell area 203 of the first floor (F1) allowing forindividual 230 to transit to the second floor (i.e., the areas shown ingrey). In this case, the entire building 201 is a conditional exclusionzone where the condition is that the individual is either at theelevation of the second floor (F2) or lower than the elevation of thethird floor (F3) within the first stairwell area 203. While theinclusion area of the conditional exclusion zone includes the entiresecond floor (F2) of building 201, based upon the disclosure providedherein, it will be recognized that only a subset of the second floor maybe allowed by restricting the latitude and longitude of the secondfloor. This may be useful, for example, to allowed an individual beingmonitored to go to only a particular apartment within the second floor.On the other hand, the individual may be allowed on a number of floors.This is useful, for example, where the individual's employer operatesacross multiple floors of a given building. Building 201 is a particularexample of, for example, one of conditional exclusion zones 220 a, 220b. In some cases, the elevation of individual 230 within building 201 isdetermined based upon one or more altitude sensing beacons 1080 (notshown) deployed on one or more floors of building 201. Such altitudedetermination may be done, for example, using the systems and methodsdiscussed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,097,952 entitled “Systems and Methods forMonitoring Altitude Sensing Beacons” and filed May 20, 2016 by Buck etal. The entirety of the aforementioned reference is incorporated hereinby reference for all purposes.

Alternatively, or in addition, such altitude sensing may be done usingbarometric circuitry 1055 included in target monitor device 120. Thebarometric pressure information sensed by barometric circuitry 1055 istransmitted to central monitoring system 160. In turn, centralmonitoring system 160 transmits the barometric pressure information andthe two-dimensional location of target monitor device 120 to a thirdparty provider that resolves the location to either a floor or a rangeof floors in a building located at the two-dimensional location. Thisfloor information may then be transferred to target monitor device 120where it is used in determining violation of either a textural inclusionzone or a textural exclusion zone. Alternatively, the determination of aviolation of either a textural inclusion zone or a textural exclusionzone may be done at the central monitoring station 160, and the resultof the determination provided to target monitor device 120. Based uponthe disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize other altitude or elevation determination processes and/orcircuitry that may be used in relation to different embodiments fordetermining multi-dimensional location of an individual, and monitoringand alerting processes associated therewith.

It is noted that “grace periods” may be employed to modify thecomplexity of establishing and monitoring zones. Such grace periodsallow an individual to be within an exclusion zone or outside of aninclusion zone for a grace period. Where the individual is within anexclusion zone or outside of an inclusion zone for less than the graceperiod, the violation is logged, but an alert is not generated. Thiswould allow, for example, identification of floor F2 of building 201 asan inclusion zone without defining stairwell 203 as an inclusion zone.As such, the inclusion zone would look like a square disk disconnectedfrom the ground. An individual could then enter stairwell 203 for alimited time period (e.g., a time sufficient to traverse stairwell 203on one's way to floor F2) without generating an alert. The traversal ofstairwell 203 would be logged, but would not generate an alert as longas the individual does not remain in the traversal region (e.g., withinbuilding 201 at floor F1) for more than the grace period. The time forthe grace period may be carefully determined for each traversal region,or a general default time may be used for a number of traversal regions.

Turning to FIG. 3, a flow diagram 300 depicts a method for preparingtextural exclusion zone data in accordance with some embodiments.Following flow diagram 300, regions where movement is at least partiallyallowed are mapped in two-dimensions (block 305). Using FIG. 2a as anexample, this includes mapping inclusion zones 210 and conditionalexclusion zones 220 a, 220 b. This mapping is done in two-dimensionswhere the ranges of latitude and longitude are selected to define thecombination of inclusion zones 210 and conditional exclusion zones 220a, 220 b in two-dimensions. This combination of inclusion zones 210 andconditional exclusion zones 220 a, 220 b mapped in two-dimensions isidentified as interim allowed regions. In one embodiment, the interimallowed regions are described as a series of rectangles in the form of:lat1-lat2 and long1-long2, 0, lat3-lat4 and long3-long4, 0, lat5-lat6and long5-long6, 0, lat7-lat8 and long7-long8, 0, lat9-lat10 andlong9-long10, 0, lat11-lat12 and long11-long12, 0, and lat13-lat14 andlong13-long14, 0 (as shown on FIG. 2a ). The “0” between each of theranges of latitudes and longitudes indicates that there is no conditionon the previously identified latitude and longitude region. Such interimallowed regions are non-textural in nature as they are simply flat(two-dimensional) allowing movement within the region without regard toelevation, time, or other condition.

A subset of interim allowed regions are identified as regions wheremovement is only conditionally allowed (block 310). Thus, using FIG. 2aagain as an example, within the interim allowed regions (i.e., inclusionzone 210 and conditional exclusion zones 220 a, 220 b), a subset ofregions (i.e., conditional exclusion zones 220 a, 220 b) are identifiedto be limited by a condition. Where an elevation condition is to beapplied to a particular region (block 310), an elevation where theselected subset of the interim allowed region is accessible isidentified (block 315). It is then determined whether all conditions forthe interim allowed regions have been identified (block 320). Whereother conditions need to be identified (block 320), the processes ofblocks 310-320 are repeated.

Alternatively, where all of the conditions for the interim allowedregions have been identified (block 320), all of the interim allowedregions are assembled with the previously identified conditions to yieldan allowed region data set (block 325). Using the combination of FIGS.2a-2b as an example, the combination of inclusion zones 210 andconditional exclusion zones 220 a, 220 b are modified by adding, forexample, an elevation condition between Elevation1 and Elevation3 for afirst portion of conditional exclusion zone 220 b (i.e., stairwell 203defined in two-dimensions as lat13-lat14 and long 13-long14) and for anelevation condition between Elevation2 and Elevation3 for the entiretyof conditional exclusion zone 220 b (i.e., the entire second floor (F2)of building 201 defined in two-dimensions as lat3-lat4 and long3-long4). This results in the following example of allowed region dataset: lat1-lat2 and long1-long2, 0, lat3-lat4 and long3-long4,Elevation2-Elevation3, 0, lat5-lat6 and long5-long6, 0, lat7-lat8 andlong7-long8, 0, lat9-lat10 and long9-long10, 0, lat11-lat12 and long11-long12, 0, and lat13-lat14 and long13-long14, Elevation1-Elevation3,0. The “0” between each of the defined allowed regions indicates thatthere is no additional condition on the previously identified region.Such an allowed region data set is textural in nature as they are morethan simply flat allowing movement within the region without regard toelevation, time, or other condition.

The allowed region data set is then formatted as textural exclusion zonedata that indicates all regions where the individual being monitored isnot allowed to move (block 330). Such formatting effectively inverts thepreviously discussed allowed region data set including conditions. Thetextural exclusion zone data identifies all regions where the individualbeing monitored is not allowed to move without condition, and allregions where the individual being monitored is conditionally notallowed to move including the specified condition(s). This texturalexclusion zone data is downloaded to a selected target monitor deviceassociated with the individual being monitored to which the data applies(block 335). This download may be performed using, for example, anycommunication link available between central monitoring system 160 andtarget monitor device 120.

Turning to FIG. 4, a flow diagram 400 depicts a method for targetmonitoring based upon textural exclusion zone data in accordance withvarious embodiments. Following flow diagram 400, the location of atarget monitor device is sensed in three-dimensions (block 405). In somecases, this process involves receiving a signal from GNSS satellites(e.g., GNSS satellites 145, 146, 147) by a GNSS receiver (e.g., GNSSreceiver 1022). In turn, the GNSS receiver calculates a location of thetarget monitor device. Alternatively, or in addition, location data isreceived from a beacon (e.g., beacon 1080). This location data isprovided to a controller (e.g., controller 1027).

The sensed location of the target monitor device is compared withtextural exclusion zone data (block 410). Such textural exclusion zonedata identifies locations in three-dimensions where the individual isprecluded from moving. An example of textural exclusion zone data may bederived from the example disclosed in FIGS. 2a-2b . The exampleexclusion zone data may preclude movement by an individual associatedwith the target monitor device beyond inclusion zones 210 and within theprecluded elevation within conditional exclusion zones 220 a, 220 b.

Where the comparison between the location of the target monitor deviceand the textural exclusion zone data indicates that the target monitordevice is within an exclusion zone (block 415), a violation message issent by the target monitor device to a central monitor station (block420). This can include, for example, communicating an alert indicatingthe location of the target monitor device and the time of the violation.This message is formatted and sent via a cellular transceiver (e.g.,cellular transceiver 1028) and/or via an Internet link (e.g., via a WiFitransceiver or other wireless communication link).

It is then determined whether the individual associated with the targetmonitor device is to be alerted of the violation (which would allow theindividual to know that a monitoring person has also been alerted)(block 425). Where the individual associated with the target monitordevice is to be alerted (block 425), a violation message is provided tothe individual (block 430). This alert to the individual being monitoredmay be provided via, for example, a display and/or an audio output onthe target monitor device. In some cases, the alert not only identifiesthe violation, but also indicates instructions that if followed by theindividual associated with the target monitor device will cure theviolation.

Turning to FIG. 5, a flow diagram 500 depicts another method forpreparing textural exclusion zone data in accordance with variousembodiments. Following flow diagram 500, regions where movement is atleast partially allowed are mapped (block 505). Using FIG. 2a as anexample, this includes mapping inclusion zones 210 and conditionalexclusion zones 220 a, 220 b. This mapping is done in two-dimensionswhere the ranges of latitude and longitude are selected to define thecombination of inclusion zones 210 and conditional exclusion zones 220a, 220 b in two-dimensions. This combination of inclusion zones 210 andconditional exclusion zones 220 a, 220 b mapped in two-dimensions isidentified as interim allowed regions. In one embodiment, the interimallowed regions are described as a series of rectangles in the form of:lat1-lat2 and long1-long2, 0, lat3-lat4 and long3-long4, 0, lat5-lat6and long5-long6, 0, lat7-lat8 and long7-long8, 0, lat9-lat10 andlong9-long10, 0, lat11-lat12 and long11-long12, 0, and lat13-lat14 andlong13-long14, 0 (as shown on FIG. 2a ). The “0” between each of theranges of latitudes and longitudes indicates that there is no conditionon the previously identified latitude and longitude region. Such interimallowed regions are non-textural in nature as they are simply flatallowing movement within the region without regard to elevation, time,or other condition.

A subset of interim allowed regions are identified as regions wheremovement is only conditionally allowed (block 510). Thus, using FIG. 2aagain as an example, within the interim allowed regions (i.e., inclusionzone 210 and conditional exclusion zones 220 a, 220 b), a subset ofregions (i.e., conditional exclusion zones 220 a, 220 b) are identifiedto be limited by a condition. Where a time condition is to be applied toa particular region (block 515), a time when the selected subset of theinterim allowed region is accessible is identified (block 520).Alternatively, or in addition, where an elevation condition is to beapplied to a particular region (block 525), an elevation where theselected subset of the interim allowed region is accessible isidentified (block 530). It is then determined whether all conditions forthe interim allowed regions have been identified (block 535). Whereother conditions need to be identified (block 535), the processes ofblocks 510-535 are repeated.

Alternatively, where all of the conditions for the interim allowedregions have been identified (block 535), all of the interim allowedregions are assembled with the previously identified conditions to yieldan allowed region data set (block 540). Using the combination of FIGS.2a-2b as an example, the combination of inclusion zones 210 andconditional exclusion zones 220 a, 220 b are modified by adding, forexample, a time condition to conditional exclusion zone 220 a(lat11-lat12 and long11-long12) of between Time1 and Time2, and byadding both a time condition from between Time3 and Time4 for all ofconditional exclusion zone 220 b, and an elevation condition betweenElevation1 and Elevation3 for a first portion of conditional exclusionzone 220 b (i.e., stairwell 203 defined in two-dimensions as lat13-lat14and long 13-long14) and for an elevation condition between Elevation2and Elevation3 for the entirety of conditional exclusion zone 220 b(i.e., the entire second floor (F2) of building 201 defined intwo-dimensions as lat3-lat4 and long 3-long4). This results in thefollowing example of allowed region data set: lat1-lat2 and long1-long2,0, lat3-lat4 and long3-long4, Time3-Time4, Elevation2-Elevation3, 0,lat5-lat6 and long5-long6, 0, lat7-lat8 and long7-long8, 0, lat9-lat10and long9-long10, 0, lat1 l-lat12 and long11-long12, Time1-Time2, 0, andlat13-lat14 and long13-long14, Time3-Time4, Elevation1-Elevation3, 0.The “0” between each of the defined allowed regions indicates that thereis no additional condition on the previously identified region. Such anallowed region data set is textural in nature as they are more thansimply flat allowing movement within the region without regard toelevation, time, or other condition.

The allowed region data set is then formatted as textural exclusion zonedata that indicates all regions where the individual being monitored isnot allowed to move (block 545). Such formatting effectively inverts thepreviously discussed allowed region data set including conditions. Thetextural exclusion zone data identifies all regions where the individualbeing monitored is not allowed to move without condition, and allregions where the individual being monitored is conditionally notallowed to move including the specified condition(s). This texturalexclusion zone data is downloaded to a selected target monitor deviceassociated with the individual being monitored to which the data applies(block 550). This download may be performed using, for example, anycommunication link available between central monitoring system 160 andtarget monitor device 120.

Turning to FIG. 6, a flow diagram 600 depicts another method for targetmonitoring based upon textural exclusion zone data in accordance withvarious embodiments. Following flow diagram 600, the location of atarget monitor device is sensed in four-dimensions includingtwo-dimensional location (e.g., latitude and longitude), elevation, andtime (block 605). In some cases, this process involves receiving asignal from GNSS satellites (e.g., GNSS satellites 145, 146, 147) by aGNSS receiver (e.g., GNSS receiver 1022). In turn, the GNSS receivercalculates a location of the target monitor device. Alternatively, or inaddition, location data is received from a beacon (e.g., beacon 1080).This location data is provided to a controller (e.g., controller 1027).The aforementioned provides a physical, three-dimensional location. Inaddition, a fourth dimension of time is sensed. Sensing time may bedone, for example, reading a time value form a clock included as part ofa target monitor device.

The sensed four-dimensional data of the target monitor device iscompared with textural exclusion zone data (block 610). Such texturalexclusion zone data identifies locations in the same four-dimensionswhere the individual is precluded from moving. For example, anindividual may be precluded from the individual associated with thetarget monitor device from moving within an area defined by ranges oflatitude and longitude. In some cases, the individual may be precludedfrom moving within an area defined by ranges of latitude, longitude, andtime. In various cases, the individual may be precluded from movingwithin an area defined by ranges of latitude, longitude, and elevation.In yet other cases, the individual may be precluded from moving withinan area defined by ranges of latitude, longitude, time, and elevation.An example of textural exclusion zone data may be derived from theexample disclosed in FIGS. 2a-2b . The example exclusion zone data maypreclude movement by an individual associated with the target monitordevice beyond inclusion zones 210 and within the precluded elevationwithin conditional exclusion zones 220 a, 220 b.

Where the comparison between the location of the target monitor deviceand the textural exclusion zone data indicates that the target monitordevice is within an exclusion zone (block 615), a violation message issent by the target monitor device to a central monitor station (block620). This can include, for example, communicating an alert indicatingthe location of the target monitor device and the time of the violation.This message is formatted and sent via a cellular transceiver (e.g.,cellular transceiver 1028) and/or via an Internet link (e.g., via a WiFitransceiver).

It is then determined whether the individual associated with the targetmonitor device is to be alerted of the violation (which would allow theindividual to know that a monitoring person has also been alerted)(block 625). Where the individual associated with the target monitordevice is to be alerted (block 625), a violation message is provided tothe individual (block 630). This alert to the individual being monitoredmay be provided via, for example, a display and/or an audio output onthe target monitor device. In some cases, the alert not only identifiesthe violation, but also indicates instructions that if followed by theindividual associated with the target monitor device will cure theviolation.

Turning to FIG. 7, a flow diagram 700 depicts another method for targetmonitoring based upon textural exclusion zone data in accordance withvarious embodiments. Following flow diagram 700, the location of atarget monitor device is sensed in three-dimensions (block 705). In somecases, this process involves receiving a signal from GNSS satellites(e.g., GNSS satellites 145, 146, 147) by a GNSS receiver (e.g., GNSSreceiver 1022). In turn, the GNSS receiver calculates a location of thetarget monitor device. Alternatively, or in addition, location data isreceived from a beacon (e.g., beacon 1080). This three-dimensionallocation data is provided to a controller (e.g., controller 1027).

The latitude and longitude data of the sensed three-dimensional data ofthe target monitor device is compared with corresponding latitude andlongitude information in textural exclusion zone data (block 710). Fromthis comparison, it is determined whether the two-dimensional locationof the target monitor device corresponds to a two-dimensional locationidentified in the textural exclusion zone data (block 715). Where thetarget monitor device does correspond to a two-dimensional locationidentified in the textural exclusion zone data (block 715), it isdetermined if the two-dimensional location identified in the texturalexclusion zone data is conditional (block 720).

Where the two-dimensional location identified in the textural exclusionzone data is not conditional (block 720), a violation message is sent bythe target monitor device to a central monitor station (block 730). Thiscan include, for example, communicating an alert indicating the locationof the target monitor device and the time of the violation. This messageis formatted and sent via a cellular transceiver (e.g., cellulartransceiver 1028) and/or via an Internet link (e.g., via a WiFitransceiver).

Alternatively, where the two-dimensional location identified in thetextural exclusion zone data is conditional (block 720), it isdetermined whether the condition is met (block 725). For example, wherethe condition is an elevation condition, it is determined if thelocation of the monitor device corresponds to the elevation condition.Where it is determined that the condition is met (block 725), aviolation message is sent by the target monitor device to a centralmonitor station (block 730).

It is then determined whether the individual associated with the targetmonitor device is to be alerted of the violation (which would allow theindividual to know that a monitoring person has also been alerted)(block 735). Where the individual associated with the target monitordevice is to be alerted (block 735), a violation message is provided tothe individual (block 740). This alert to the individual being monitoredmay be provided via, for example, a display and/or an audio output onthe target monitor device. In some cases, the alert not only identifiesthe violation, but also indicates instructions that if followed by theindividual associated with the target monitor device will cure theviolation.

Turning to FIG. 8, a flow diagram 800 depicts a method for preparingtextural exclusion zone data in accordance with some embodiments.Following flow diagram 800, a two-dimensional master inclusion zone isdefined (block 802). Such a master inclusion zone identifies atwo-dimensional area where an individual being monitored is expected tobe during one or more defined time intervals. As examples, atwo-dimensional master inclusion zone may be, but is not limited to, acity where the individual lives, a state in which the individual lives,a circle with a defined radius that is centered around a residence ofthe individual. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of master inclusionzones that may be used in relation to different embodiments.

Two-dimensional regions within the master inclusion zone are definedwhere an individual is not allowed are defined as interim exclusionregions (block 805). This would include buildings where an individual isallowed to be, but where the individual is expected, for example, onlybe on certain floors of the building. An area within the interimexclusion regions is selected where movement is allowed conditionallybased upon, for example, elevation (block 810). Thus, for example, wherean individual is allowed on floors four and five a building, but theindividual is not allowed on any other floor, a two-dimensional regioncorresponding to the building is selected. An allowed elevation wherethe individual is allowed to be within the otherwise selected,non-allowed two-dimensional area is selected (block 815). Thus, usingthe example from the previous block, an elevation range corresponding tofloors four and five is selected and attached to the selected,non-allowed two-dimensional area as a condition. It is then determinedwhether all conditions for the interim exclusion regions have beenidentified (block 820). Where other conditions need to be identified(block 820), the processes of blocks 810-820 are repeated.

Alternatively, where all of the conditions for the interim allowedregions have been identified (block 820), all of the interim exclusionregions are assembled with the previously identified conditions to yieldtextural exclusion zone data (block 825). This textural exclusion zonedata is inverted to yield inclusion zone data, and incorporated with themaster inclusion zone data to yield textural inclusion zone data (block830). This textural inclusion zone data would identify all areas wherean individual is allowed to travel. As such, it would identify the outerboundaries of the master inclusion zone data along with carve outs forareas within the aforementioned outer boundaries where the conditionaland non-conditional exclusion zones exist. In this case, the conditionalexclusion zones would be identified as conditional inclusion zones wherean individual is expected to be within a defined elevation. The texturalexclusion zone data is then downloaded to a selected target monitordevice associated with a monitored individual (block 835). While notshown, grace periods for traversing exclusion zones may be defined, or adefault grace period may be provided.

Turning to FIG. 9, a flow diagram 900 depicts a method for targetmonitoring based upon textural inclusion zone data in accordance withvarious embodiments. Following flow diagram 900, the location of atarget monitor device is sensed in three-dimensions (e.g., latitude,longitude, and elevation)(block 905). In some cases, this processinvolves receiving a signal from GNSS satellites (e.g., GNSS satellites145, 146, 147) by a GNSS receiver (e.g., GNSS receiver 1022). In turn,the GNSS receiver calculates a location of the target monitor device.Alternatively, or in addition, location data is received from a beacon(e.g., beacon 1080). This location data is provided to a controller(e.g., controller 1027).

The sensed location of the target monitor device is compared withtextural inclusion zone data (block 910). Such textural inclusion zonedata identifies locations in three-dimensions where the individual isallowed to be. Where the comparison between the location of the targetmonitor device and the textural inclusion zone data indicates that thetarget monitor device is outside of an inclusion zone (block 915), it isdetermined whether the individual has been outside of the inclusion zonefor more than a defined grace period (block 918). Where the individualhas been outside of the inclusion zone for more than the defined graceperiod (block 918), a violation message is sent by the target monitordevice to a central monitor station (block 920). This can include, forexample, communicating an alert indicating the location of the targetmonitor device and the time of the violation. This message is formattedand sent via a cellular transceiver (e.g., cellular transceiver 1028)and/or via an Internet link (e.g., via a WiFi transceiver).

It is then determined whether the individual associated with the targetmonitor device is to be alerted of the violation (which would allow theindividual to know that a monitoring person has also been alerted)(block 925). Where the individual associated with the target monitordevice is to be alerted (block 925), a violation message is provided tothe individual (block 930). This alert to the individual being monitoredmay be provided via, for example, a display and/or an audio output onthe target monitor device. In some cases, the alert not only identifiesthe violation, but also indicates instructions that if followed by theindividual associated with the target monitor device will cure theviolation.

Turning to FIG. 10, a flow diagram 1000 shows a method for identifyingzones including a zone area having an altitude different from a baselinealtitude in accordance with some embodiments. Following flow diagram1000, a query asking if additional zone areas are to be identified isdisplayed to a user setting up zones for a target monitor via a displaydevice (block 1005). In some embodiments, the display device is part ofuser interaction system 185. In other embodiments, the display devicemay be incorporated into a remote access device (not shown) that iscapable of executing software or firmware to set up zones for a targetmonitor. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize a variety of display devices that may beused in relation to different embodiments. The display device provides adisplay that includes an area for response from the user. This area canbe filled using a keyboard and/or mouse, or the display can be a touchscreen. The area for response may be, for example, radio buttonscorresponding to “YES” and “NO” along with an enter indicating that aselection has been made. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, oneof ordinary skill in the art will recognize other interfaces that may bedisplayed to the user in accordance with different embodiments.

Where it is determined that additional zone areas are to be identified(e.g., the zone identification for the target monitor is notcomplete)(block 1010), a query asking for a zone area is displayed tothe user setting up zones for a target monitor via a display device(block 1015). In some embodiments, the aforementioned query for a zonearea is facilitated by the display device providing a two-dimensionalgraphic display of a map of an area that allows the user to select anarea. Turning to FIG. 11a , an example display 1100 is shown thatincludes a number of roads included on a map, and includes a rectangularregion 1105 (shown in dotted lines) that is received from the user as anindication of the selected zone area. It is noted that display 1100 ismerely an example, and that other displays are possible in accordance tothe various embodiments discussed herein. Further, other ways ofidentifying a zone area may be used in addition to or in place of thegraphical entry described above. For example, the user may enter twocross streets indicating opposite corners of a rectangular areacomprising the zone. In such a situation, the display may include twoquery boxes for each of the cross street pairs. As yet anotheralternative, the user may enter two pairs of latitude and longitudevalues indicating opposite corners of a rectangular area comprising thezone. In such a situation, the display may include two query boxes foreach of the latitude and longitude pairs. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize othermechanisms for identifying a zone area and a corresponding display toelicit the information from the user.

Once it is determined that the zone area has been received from the user(block 1049), the zone area is displayed on a map as a two-dimensionalregion (block 1023). The two-dimensional display may be similar to thatshown in FIG. 11 a.

The user is then queried about whether the altitude for the recentlyidentified zone area is different than a baseline altitude (block 1035).The baseline altitude corresponds to a default altitude for the area(e.g., ground level). Where it is determined that the altitude is notdifferent than a baseline altitude (block 1035), the process is returnedto query the user for any additional zone areas (block 1005). Where onlythe baseline altitude or no altitude range is associated with aparticular zone area, then all altitudes are included in thetwo-dimensional zone area (i.e., the zone area extends both above andbelow ground level for the two-dimensional area). Alternatively, wherean altitude range is defined, the zone area is limited to thetwo-dimensional area within the defined altitude range.

Turning to FIG. 11b , another example display 1150 shows two zone areas1106, 1110 where each are shown as two-dimensional zones whichimplicitly extending vertically both below and above the baselinealtitude. In this example, zone area 1110 (shown in dotted lines) is tobe defined to be limited to an altitude range. Returning to FIG. 10,where it is determined that the altitude is different than a baselinealtitude (block 1035)(e.g., zone area 1110 is to be range limited), thenthe display is updated to query the user for the range of altitudes tobe included in the zone area (block 1040). In some embodiments thealtitude range is in the form of building floors above and/or below thebaseline altitude where an average floor height is assumed. Thus, forexample, an altitude range extending from a first basement level to asecond floor of a building could be entered, or extending from thebottom of the first basement level to the top of the second floor of abuilding. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize a variety of altitude ranges (bothcontinuous and discontinuous) that may be defined in accordance withvarious embodiments. In a case where multiple discontinuous altituderanges are to be included in a zone area, the display may include anarea for a number of altitude pairs with one altitude in the pairrepresenting a bottom of the range and the other altitude in the pairrepresenting a top of the range. Based upon the disclosure providedherein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety ofdisplays that may be used to query and accept altitude ranges from theuser. In other embodiments the altitude range is in the form of absolutemeasurements above and/or below the baseline altitude (e.g., ten (10)feet above the baseline to twenty (20) feet above the baseline). Thus,for example, an altitude range extending from twelve (12) feet below thebaseline to twenty-two (22) feet above the could be entered, orextending from the eight (8) feet above the baseline to twenty-two (22)feet above the baseline could be entered. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of altitude ranges (both continuous and discontinuous) that maybe defined in accordance with various embodiments. Again, the displaymay include an area for a number of altitude pairs with one altitude inthe pair representing a bottom of the range and the other altitude inthe pair representing a top of the range. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of displays that may be used to query and accept altitude rangesfrom the user.

Where the altitude range(s) has/have been received (block 1045), thedefined zone area (in some embodiments including any previously definedzone areas) is displayed as a three-dimensional area extending aboveand/or below the baseline altitude (block 1050). Turning to FIG. 11c ,an example display 1160 shows display 1150 converted to athree-dimensional display where some floors of a building 1115 includedin zone area 1110 are included in the zone area and other floors areexcluded. In this case, the altitude range included in the zone areaextends from an altitude 1117 to an altitude 1118 both above a baselinealtitude 1116, thus including floors two and three (F2 and F3) of thebuilding, and excludes the basement (floor F0) and floors four through 6(F4, F5, and F6). Returning to FIG. 10, the process is returned todetermine if additional zone areas remain to be defined (block 1005).

Where it is determined that no additional zone areas are to beidentified (e.g., the zone identification for the target monitor iscomplete)(block 1010), a grouping of all received zone areas includingthree-dimensional zone areas is finalized (block 1060). This finalizedgrouping of zone areas can be converted to either exclusion zones orinclusion zones that are monitored in relation to the target monitordevice as discussed in more detail above.

Turning to FIGS. 12a-12b , an alternative approach to designating athree-dimensional zone area is shown. As shown in FIG. 12a , a region1210 (shown as dotted lines) around a building 1211 is selected. Thisselection may be done similar to that discussed above in relation toFIG. 10 where, for example, a user graphically draws region 1210.Alternatively, the user may enter coordinates geographically identifyingregion 1210 such as, for example, a latitude and longitude of a centralpoint along with a radius of the region. While region 1210 is shown as acircle, it is noted that other shapes including squares, rectangles,ellipses, polygons, or other shapes may be used in relation to differentembodiments.

As shown in FIG. 12b , region 1210 of FIG. 12a is converted to athree-dimensional zone extending above and/or below a baseline altitude1216 (in this particular example extending from B to B−1, from B to B+1,from B+1 to B+2, and from B+2 to B+3). The result is a three-dimensionalrepresentation 1212 of building 1210 surrounded by a cylindrical zonearea 1215 with part of zone area 1215 from B+2 to B+3 being identifiedas the three-dimensional zone area to be included with other zone areasin making a grouping of received zone areas similar to that discussedabove in relation to block 1060 of FIG. 10. In some embodiments,cylindrical zone area 1215 extends well below and/or well above theactual building 1210. In other embodiments, cylindrical zone area 1215only shows the altitude region defined by the altitude range to beincluded with the received zone areas (i.e., from B+2 to B+3 in thisexample). In various embodiments, three-dimensional representation 1212of building 1210 is not shown, and only cylindrical zone area 1215 or aportion thereof to be included in the with the received zone areas(i.e., from B+2 to B+3 in this example) is shown as part of the userdisplay.

Turning to FIG. 13, a flow diagram 1300 shows another method foridentifying zones including a zone area having an altitude differentfrom a baseline altitude in accordance with various embodiments.Following flow diagram 1300, a query is made via a display device to theuser asking if only a portion of a multi-story building is to beincluded as a zone area (block 1305). in some embodiments, the displaydevice is part of user interaction system 185. In other embodiments, thedisplay device may be incorporated into a remote access device (notshown) that is capable of executing software or firmware to set up zonesfor a target monitor. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of display devicesthat may be used in relation to different embodiments. The displayprovided via the display device includes an area for response from theuser. The area for response may be, for example, radio buttonscorresponding to “YES” and “NO” along with an enter indicating that aselection has been made. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, oneof ordinary skill in the art will recognize other interfaces that may bedisplayed to the user in accordance with different embodiments.

Where the user indicates that a portion of a multi-story building is tobe included as a zone area (block 1310), the user display is updated toquery the user for the address or another location identifier of themulti-story building (block 1315). This may include, for example,displaying a text input box on the display into which the user may typethe address of the building, and which floor(s) of the building is/areto be included as a zone area. Based upon the disclosure providedherein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety ofdisplays that may be used to prompt the user to enter an address of thebuilding and floors of the building to be included as a zone area.

Data for the building at the received address is obtained (block 1325).This data may be obtained from any available data source or data serverwhich, in some cases, may be a third party data source. Such third partydata source may be, but are not limited to, a county real estaterecording data Internet site. The building data and floors of thebuilding to be included in a zone area as provided by the user are usedto construct and provide a three-dimensional display of the building andbuilding floors (block 1330). Turning to FIG. 14a , an example display1400 shows a building 1415 indicated by the address received from theuser which, in this particular example, is a six floor building (floorsF1, F2, F3, F4, F5, and F6) above a baseline altitude 1417 with abasement (floor F0) extending below baseline altitude 1417. The altituderange 1418 received from the user which, in this particular example,includes the second and third floors (floors F2-F3) are shown blackedout to indicate that they are the zone area selected by the user.Returning to FIG. 13, the process is returned to determine if additionalbuilding areas remain to be defined (block 1305).

Where no additional building zones (i.e., three-dimensional zone areas)remain to be defined (block 1310), the display is updated to query theuser about whether additional zone areas (i.e., two-dimensional zoneareas) remain to be defined (block 1335). Such two-dimensional zoneareas include all altitude values extending above and below theidentified zone area, and not just the specified altitude ranges in thethree-dimensional zone areas discussed above as building zones inrelation to blocks 1305-1330). In some embodiments, the display is partof user interaction system 185. In other embodiments, the display may beincorporated into a remote access device (not shown) that is capable ofexecuting software or firmware to set up zones for a target monitor.Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize a variety of displays and/or devices incorporatingdisplays that may be used in relation to different embodiments. Thedisplay includes an area for response from the user. The area forresponse may be, for example, radio buttons corresponding to “YES” and“NO” along with an enter indicating that a selection has been made.Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize other interfaces that may be displayed to the user inaccordance with different embodiments.

Where it is determined that additional zone areas are to be identified(e.g., the zone identification for the target monitor is notcomplete)(block 1340), a query asking for a zone area is displayed tothe user setting up zones for a target monitor (block 1345). In someembodiments, the display includes a two-dimensional graphic of a map ofan area that allows the user to graphically enter a polygon or circle ofthe additional two-dimensional zone area. In other embodiments, the samethree-dimensional display provided in block 1330 is provided to the userand allows the user to graphically enter a polygon of the additionaltwo-dimensional zone area. Other ways of identifying a zone area may beused in addition to or in place of the graphical entry described above.For example, the user may enter two cross streets indicating oppositecorners of a rectangular area comprising the zone. In such a situation,the display may include two query boxes for each of the cross streetpairs. As yet another alternative, the user may enter two pairs oflatitude and longitude values indicating opposite corners of arectangular area comprising the zone. In such a situation, the displaymay include two query boxes for each of the latitude and longitudepairs. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skillin the art will recognize other mechanisms for identifying a zone areaand a corresponding display to elicit the information from the user.

Once it is determined that the zone area has been received from the user(block 1350), the zone area is displayed on a three-dimensional map of aregion surrounding the selected zone areas (block 1355). Thethree-dimensional display provided in block 1330 may be updated to showthe newly received two-dimensional zone area. Turning to FIG. 14b , anexample display 1450 is shown that is example display 1400 updated toinclude a two-dimensional zone area 1405 received from the user.Returning to FIG. 13, the process is returned to determine if additionalzone areas remain to be defined (block 1335).

Where it is determined that no additional zone areas are to beidentified (e.g., the zone identification for the target monitor iscomplete)(block 1340), a grouping of all received zone areas includingthree-dimensional zone areas is finalized (block 1360). This finalizedgrouping of zone areas can be converted to either exclusion zones orinclusion zones that are monitored in relation to the target monitordevice as discussed in more detail above.

In conclusion, the present invention provides for novel systems,devices, and methods for monitoring individuals and/or assets. Whiledetailed descriptions of one or more embodiments of the invention havebeen given above, various alternatives, modifications, and equivalentswill be apparent to those skilled in the art without varying from thespirit of the invention. Therefore, the above description should not betaken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A monitoring system, the monitoring systemcomprising: a target monitor device remote from a zone defining systemand communicably coupled to the zone defining system, wherein the targetmonitor device is associated with a monitored individual; the zonedefining system including: a display device and a processor; and anon-transitory computer readable medium including non-transitoryinstructions executable by the processor to: receive an indication of azone area and an altitude range for the zone area, wherein the zone areais an altitude limited zone area that is limited to the altitude range;display a three-dimensional view of the altitude limited zone area viathe display device; form a zone data set corresponding to the altitudelimited zone; and transfer at least a portion of the zone data set tothe target monitor device via a wireless communication link.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the zone area is a first zone area, andwherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further includesinstructions executable by the processor to: receive an indication of asecond zone area, wherein the second zone area is an altitude unlimitedzone area; and display a three-dimensional view of a combination of thefirst zone area and the second zone area via the display device.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the non-transitory computer readable mediumfurther includes instructions executable by the processor to: convertthe combination of the first zone area and the second zone area into aninclusion zone data set; and transfer at least a portion of theinclusion zone data set to a target monitor device via the wirelesscommunication link, wherein the target monitor device is configured toreport a transition out of an inclusion zone indicated by the inclusionzone data set.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the non-transitorycomputer readable medium further includes instructions executable by theprocessor to: convert the combination of the first zone area and thesecond zone area into an exclusion zone data set; and transfer at leasta portion of the exclusion zone data set to a target monitor device viathe wireless communication link, wherein the target monitor device isconfigured to report a transition into an exclusion zone indicated bythe exclusion zone data set.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein theindication of the second zone area is a set of coordinates identifying atwo-dimensional area.
 6. The system of claim 2, wherein the indicationof the second zone area is received as a graphical representation of atwo-dimensional area, and wherein the non-transitory computer readablemedium further includes instructions executable by the processor to:convert the graphical representation of the two-dimensional area to aset of coordinates identifying a two-dimensional area.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the indication of the zone area is a set of coordinatesidentifying a two-dimensional area, and wherein the altitude rangeindicates a first altitude and a second altitude for the zone area. 8.The system of claim 7, wherein the first altitude is a first distancerelative to a baseline altitude, and wherein the second altitude is asecond distance from the baseline altitude.
 9. The system of claim 7,wherein the first altitude is an indication of a first floor number of abuilding within the zone area, and wherein the second altitude is asecond floor number within the building, and wherein the altitude rangeextends from approximately a bottom of a floor corresponding to thefirst floor number of the building to approximately a top of a floorcorresponding to the second floor number within the building.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the indication of the zone area is an addressof a building, and wherein the altitude range indicates a first floornumber of the building and a second floor number of the building, andwherein the zone area is defined as a two-dimensional area of thebuilding at an altitude extending from approximately a bottom of a floorcorresponding to the first floor number of the building to approximatelya top of a floor corresponding to the second floor number within thebuilding.
 11. A method for defining zone areas in relation to amonitoring system, the method comprising: receiving an indication of afirst zone area, wherein the first zone area is an altitude unlimitedzone area; receiving an indication of a second zone area and an altituderange for the second zone area, wherein the second zone area is analtitude limited zone area that is limited to the altitude range; anddisplaying a three-dimensional view of a combination of the first zonearea and the second zone area on a display of a zone defining system;forming a zone data set corresponding to the first zone area and thesecond zone area; and transfer at least a portion of the zone data setto a target monitor device that is remote from the zone defining systemvia a wireless communication link.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinthe indication of the second zone area is a set of coordinatesidentifying a two-dimensional area, and wherein the altitude rangeindicates a first altitude and a second altitude for the second zonearea.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first altitude is a firstdistance relative to a baseline altitude, and wherein the secondaltitude is a second distance from the baseline altitude.
 14. The methodof claim 12, wherein the first altitude is an indication of a firstfloor number of a building within the second zone area, and wherein thesecond altitude is a second floor number within the building, andwherein the altitude range extends from approximately a bottom of afloor corresponding to the first floor number of the building toapproximately a top of a floor corresponding to the second floor numberwithin the building.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the indicationof the second zone area is an address of a building, and wherein thealtitude range indicates a first floor number of the building and asecond floor number of the building, and wherein the second zone area isdefined as a two-dimensional area of the building at an altitudeextending from approximately a bottom of a floor corresponding to thefirst floor number of the building to approximately a top of a floorcorresponding to the second floor number within the building.
 16. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the indication of the first zone area is aset of coordinates identifying a two-dimensional area.
 17. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the indication of the first zone area is received as agraphical representation of a two-dimensional area, the method furthercomprising: converting the graphical representation of thetwo-dimensional area to a set of coordinates identifying atwo-dimensional area.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the zone dataset is an exclusion zone data set, and wherein the target monitor deviceis configured to report a transition into an exclusion zone indicated bythe exclusion zone data set.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein thezone data set is an inclusion zone data set, and wherein the targetmonitor device is configured to report a transition out of an inclusionzone indicated by the inclusion zone data set.
 20. A monitoring system,the monitoring system comprising: a target monitor device physicallyattached to an individual to be monitored; a user interaction systemincluding: a display device; and a non-transitory computer readablemedium including instructions executable by a processor to: receive anindication of a first zone area, wherein the first zone area is analtitude unlimited zone area; receive an indication of a second zonearea and an altitude range for the second zone area, wherein the secondzone area is an altitude limited zone area that is limited to thealtitude range; display a three-dimensional view of a combination of thefirst zone area and the second zone area via the display device; convertthe combination of the first zone area and the second zone area into azone data set; and transfer at least a portion of the zone data set tothe target monitor device via a wireless communication link, wherein thetarget monitor device is remote from the user interaction system.